Olympic skiing legend Mikaela Shiffrin, fresh off another dominant season and her groundbreaking new podcast What’s the Point with Mikaela Shiffrin (WTP), made her first appearance at Fanatics Fest on Saturday, July 18. The multi-day sports fandom extravaganza at the Javits Center brought together athletes, celebrities, and fans for autographs, panels, live podcasts, and high-energy activations.
For Shiffrin, the day blended her love of competition, fan connection, and unexpected celebrity crossover moments. Attending to record a live episode of her popular WTP podcast—where she dives deep into purpose, resilience, and life beyond elite sports—the alpine superstar found herself rubbing shoulders with one of television’s most beloved characters come to life: Jason Sudeikis, the Emmy-winning star of Ted Lasso.
Photos from the event captured a memorable group including Shiffrin, her fiancé and fellow ski champion Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, NFL icon Joe Montana, and Sudeikis mingling at the bustling festival. Shiffrin, known for her approachable demeanor and genuine enthusiasm for sports culture, later reflected on the serendipitous run-in.
“Walking into Fanatics Fest for the first time, especially for a live WTP episode, already felt electric—the energy of thousands of passionate fans, the activations, the sheer scale of it all,” Shiffrin shared. “Then running into Jason Sudeikis? The one and only Ted Lasso himself? It was surreal in the best way. We had such a fun, quick chat. His positivity and that ‘believe’ energy are just as real in person. It’s moments like these that remind me why I love being part of the broader sports world.”
Fanatics Fest, now in its third year and rapidly growing into one of the premier sports events of the summer, drew massive crowds with appearances from stars like LeBron James, Tom Brady, Serena Williams, and many more. Shiffrin’s presence on July 18 aligned perfectly with her podcast schedule, offering fans a chance to engage with one of skiing’s greatest-ever athletes in a non-traditional setting.
Her WTP podcast, which launched in late 2025 and features candid conversations with athletes, coaches, and influencers about performance, mental health, and personal growth, has quickly resonated. Previous episodes have included deep dives with her fiancé Kilde, physical therapist Regan Dewhirst, and others exploring themes of injury recovery, rivalry, and legacy. A live taping at the festival fit the event’s mix of live content and fan interaction.
Shiffrin, the most decorated alpine skier in history with multiple Olympic golds and World Cup records, has increasingly embraced off-snow opportunities to connect with fans and explore life’s bigger picture. The Fanatics Fest encounter with Sudeikis—whose Ted Lasso character embodies optimism, leadership, and kindness amid challenges—seemed like a fitting crossover for the skier known for her grace under pressure and relentless pursuit of excellence.
Fans reacted enthusiastically online, with many praising the wholesome sports-celebrity mashup and expressing excitement for more crossovers at future events. As Fanatics Fest continues through Sunday with FIFA World Cup watch parties and more activations, Shiffrin’s appearance underscored the festival’s role as a hub where worlds collide.
For Shiffrin, it was more than just a photo op—it was a reminder of the joy in shared passions. Whether on the slopes or at a massive fan festival, the champion continues to inspire with her openness and authenticity.
